The first COVID-19 vaccinations in Eastern Ontario are scheduled to begin next week, Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Paul Roumeliotis says. The first delivery of 1,200 doses will be administered in long-term care facilities, with the vaccination of the most vulnerable people expected to be completed by the end of the month. Meanwhile, the number of positive cases in Stormont-Dundas-Glengarry, Prescott-Russell and the northern part of Akwesasne has increased to 511. Six patients are in hospital; none is in intensive care.

The News of January 6 has a silver lining, COVID-19 concerns and four pages of baby pictures!

Merry Christmas!

Our last edition of 2020 features an incredible display of support, a record year for sales and baking, Light Up North Glengarry winners and a special South Glengarry crossword puzzle.

A reminder: Our office is closed until January 4.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

A 28-day province-wide shutdown in Ontario will go into effect December 26 in an effort to control the spread of COVID-19. The new rules restrict indoor organized public events and social gatherings, except with members of the same household (the people you live with). Individuals who live alone may consider having exclusive close contact with one other household. The province is banning in-person shopping in most retail settings;  curbside pickup and delivery can continue. Discount and big box retailers selling groceries will be limited to 25 per cent capacity for in-store shopping. Supermarkets, grocery stores and similar stores that primarily sell food, as well as pharmacies, will continue to operate at 50 per cent capacity for in-store shopping. Restaurants, bars and other food or drink establishments will be permitted to operate by take out, drive-through, and delivery only. All Ontarians are advised to stay home as much as possible with trips outside the home limited to necessities such as food, medication, medical appointments, or supporting vulnerable community members. Employers in all industries should make every effort to allow employees to work from home. The winter break will be extended for schools. Elementary school students can return to in-person learning January 11, 2021, while secondary school students will continue learning remotely until January 25, at which point they may resume in-person learning.

The Stormont-Dundas-Glengarry Ontario Provincial Police detachment is seeking a person who stabbed a 28-year-old man Wednesday night at a Main Street, Alexandria residence.

The attacker fled the scene after stabbing the victim who was transported to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

The individual responsible has yet to be located but there is no risk to public safety, says the detachment.

While at the location another man became combative with officers. 

The man resisted arrest and threatened officers during the incident.

Roch Pariseau, 26, of South Glengarry, was arrested and charged with uttering threats, obstructing and resisting a peace officer.

The News of December 16 also has letters to Santa, candycane lane, merry trails, and a wide range of views.

One classroom has been closed at St. Finnan's Catholic elementary school in Alexandria after a positive COVID-19 case was detected there.

The Catholic District School Board of Eastern Ontario reported December 13 that fewer than five individuals at the school were infected.

Meanwhile, a second case of COVID-19 has been reported at Glengarry District High School in Alexandria.

The Upper Canada District related December 13 that an additional individual at the school has tested positive for COVID-19. 

The first case was reported December 11.

The Eastern Ontario Health Unit is not declaring this an outbreak as the cases are not linked to the school environment. The school remains open and operating on the regular daily schedule.

"There is no doubt that it has been a challenging year for all of us. The COVID-19 pandemic has required us to change the way we do things and interact with one another. From inconveniences such as wearing masks, to waiting in lines to enter buildings, to having to keep a distance from others, it’s been stressful and frustrating. It has been especially hard on our families and relationships as we’ve had to find other ways to juggle family, school and work, and to stay connected with those we care about. For too many, the year has also brought hardship and tragedy, from lost financial stability to lost loved ones who have perished from the coronavirus. In our community, and across the globe, COVID-19 has taken a heavy toll.

The region served by the Eastern Ontario Health Unit will revert from Yellow to Orange status under the province's COVID-19 framework. And the Orange label will remain for at least the next month.

Based on the latest data, the Orange designation, which denotes stricter restrictions than the Yellow code, the level change will take effect December 14.

For long-term care homes, visitor restrictions apply to those homes in the public health unit regions that are in the Orange-Restrict level or higher. In addition, long-term care homes must implement recently enhanced testing requirements.

Trends in public health data will continue to be reviewed weekly to determine if public health units should stay where they are or be moved into a different level.

Public health units will stay in their level for a minimum of 28 days, or two COVID-19 incubation periods, at which time, the government will assess the impact of public health measures to determine if the public health unit should stay where they are or be moved to a different level. The government and the Chief Medical Officer of Health will continue to consult regularly with local medical officers of health on local context and conditions to help inform the classification of their public health unit region.

More COVID-19 cases have been reported in area schools.

Individuals at Glengarry District High School, La Source in Moose Creek, Holy Trinity Catholic high school in South Glengarry, Tagwi Secondary School in Avonmore, and at Laggan Public School have tested positive, according to the Eastern Ontario Health Unit.

A $100,000 lottery ticket, which was sold in rural Eastern Ontario, remains unclaimed.

There are two weeks left to claims the Encore Lotto Max prize from the December 24, 2019 draw.

The winning numbers were 1 – 9 – 3 – 2 – 8 – 5 – 0.

The owner(s) of this ticket should fill in the back portion, sign it and contact the OLG Support Centre at 1-800-387-0098.

Former bar destroyed

A one-time favourite watering hole in Dalhousie Station, Chez Paul later known as the Pit Stop, was destroyed by fire Wednesday. Nobody was injured in the flames that consumed the recently renovated residence.

Stéphane Brunet photo

The number of active cases in the region served by the Eastern Ontario Health Unit has risen by 39 since Tuesday, bringing the total to 260. 

The biggest spike was reported in Cornwall, where 31 new cases have been recorded between December 8 and 9, according to the health unit.

Eight patients have been hospitalized. None is intensive care.

Plus, resilience, letters, accolades

The News of December 2 also has letters, sports and good causes.